Dear FMS Families,
Next school year, Farmington Municipal Schools will be replacing all devices that are issued to students and reducing the charge for damaged equipment.
The district will issue all students with iPads next year. Students in grades 2-12 will be using iPads with cases that include an integrated keyboard and trackpad for both protection and improved functionality. The laptops and iPads currently in use are now at least six years old, and making this switch will reduce the overall cost of student technology due to cheaper unit costs and lower repair costs. Management, support, and repair time will also be reduced.
Other changes will include a reduction in the amount that families may be charged for damaged equipment. This amount will be reduced from $100 to $50. As in previous years, there will be no annual fee charged for use of the devices.
We have spent the last 6 months researching this change, consulting with other districts that use iPads, as well as with FMS departments, secondary principals, and the FMS Board of Education. Based on that research, we expect that there will be little impact on the ability of students and teachers to effectively use iPad technology for teaching and learning. In addition, Middle School students will once more be able to take devices home each day. High School students in courses that require specialized applications that won't run on an iPad will have access to laptops for use during those classes.
Farmington Municipal Schools remains committed to the idea that technology serves as a powerful educational tool when integrated thoughtfully and purposefully into the curriculum.
Sincerely,
Farmington Municipal Schools